Page 31 of Spirit Walker Pack (Kingdom of Wolves #5)

LYLE

Watching the warrior training this morning, I’m intrigued when I see Chief Glen training a group of warriors, and Sloane off to one side training one-on-one with Jade.

I know that since Lavender found her mate and Jade returned to the pack, she has been noticeably quieter and off the radar, so to speak.

Her warrior status was removed during those turbulent times with Lavender, and she hasn’t made any great effort to get it back.

That surprised me because she was a fearsome warrior in the arena.

Watching her now, it seems she has regained the desire to be a warrior because she is certainly giving it her all out there. Sloane isn’t holding back one bit, and some of the blows that land on Jade have got to hurt. Oh, and they have no protective training gear on, either. Interesting.

Glancing at the trees as I sense movement, I see Blossom and Flick ogling Chief Glen again. I meant to have that talk with those two, so today is as good a day as any. Walking back to the packhouse, I wonder if I should drop this in Fenya’s lap? She is their Luna now, after all.

Don’t be such a coward. You would have had it to do if she had rejected you, Hunter comments from out of nowhere.

‘Thank you for that subtle reminder. You can be so helpful at times such as this. You wolves are a bit more direct when it comes to the opposite sex.’

Hunter chortles. Not at all. We just know how to enjoy each other without all the emotional rubbish that you humans have to complicate matters with.

‘You’d prefer a human-free world, no doubt.’

Goddess forbid! You humans provide far too much entertainment to be without you. You’re a constant source of mirth and merriment.

‘I’m so glad we’re useful for something,’ I retort.

Reaching my office, I mind link for Blossom and Flick to join me. I’m just thinking it won’t take them long to get here, when there’s a knock on the door. Calling “Enter,” Flint walks in.

“Morning Lyle. How’s things?”

“I recognize that tone. You’re bored and want me to join you so you can get into some mischief.” I grin at the look on Flint’s face.

“I know I shouldn’t be bored, what with Arric and everything, but I am, you’re right. So, what can you suggest I stick my nose into?” Wriggling his nose doesn’t have the effect it was supposed to as I just frown at him.

“I have Blossom and Flick coming over any moment. They are constantly spying on and ogling Chief Glen. I suspect one of them has taken a liking to him, and they don’t know how to approach him. I’m going to get to the bottom of it this morning.”

“I should leave you to it then, eh?” Flint looks like he’d rather listen to the fun than be anywhere else right now, so I give him an option.

“You could sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace and eavesdrop if you like? Everyone in the pack has seen these two skulking around, so it’s the most talked about secret in the land.

They can hardly be upset with your being here, and besides that, you’re council not pack. So, you don’t count in their scheming.”

“Okay, I’ll just sit here quietly. Can I have a glass of water before they get here? I was hoping to take you for a late breakfast, but I can live on water for another hour or so.” Flint looks around the office and spies my supply of bottled water. “Ah, one of those will do nicely.”

Grabbing a bottle, he heads for the chairs by the fireplace and turns one slightly more toward the room, back to the door. Sitting quietly, he takes a mouthful from the bottle, and we settle down to wait.

Moments later there is a knock and again I call, “Enter.”

Blossom and Flick march up to my desk, arm in arm, and then just stare at me.

“Please have a seat. I’ve called you both here to find out what’s going on regarding Chief Glen.

” That grabs their attention as they look at each other in horror, and then turn their stares to me.

“It’s the worst-kept secret in pack history, so don’t give me any of the ‘I don’t know what you're talking about’ rubbish. ”

“Luna Fenya spilled the beans. That didn’t take her long to sell us out! Friends indeed!” Flick blurts this out, and Blossom agrees with her.

Knowing Fenya is in her office, I mind link her to come over immediately. She can be present for this because I don’t know what these two are talking about, and it sounds like she does.

Fenya enters and is immediately set upon verbally by her friends.

“I thought it was going to be our secret, and we’d sort it out amongst ourselves?” Blossom looks like she wants to cry, which I’ve never seen before.

“If you’re going to run to the Alpha every time you hear something, we’ll keep things to ourselves from now on. Friends don’t betray each other's trust!” Flick is tearing into Fenya, who takes this for a moment longer and then stops them in their tracks.

In a voice that demands attention, she states, “Stop right there. That’s quite enough from the pair of you.

” Their mouths snap shut, and I wonder where she found that tone from?

That was almost as assertive as my alpha tone.

It certainly had the desired effect. “I don’t know what you think I’ve done, but I can assure you, I haven’t done it.

” Quirking an eyebrow at me, I tell her the purpose of their being here.

Shaking her head at the pair of them, Fenya states, “You should have more faith in me than that…”

Flick apparently is having none of Fenya’s denial and launches into her once again.

“If you haven’t said anything, then how does Alpha Lyle know that Blossom has the hots for Glen?

Tell me that! And I suppose you told him about my feelings for Councilman Flint while you were at it, too. Eh? Deny it if you can!”

All conversation stops, and every eye turns to the fireplace as there is a gagging sound and a jet of water spurts forth from one of the chairs.

Flint stands up, gagging, coughing and choking, eyes wide and his face redder than I’ve ever seen it.

Fenya looks into Flick’s eyes. “I deny it. Hand on heart and I swear by the Goddess Selene. I have not betrayed anyone’s trust. Nor would I ever.

Alpha Lyle, perhaps you would accompany Blossom and I to the Luna’s office where we can discuss the Chief Glen issue.

I think Chef Flick and Councilman Flint could use the privacy to discuss their own issues.

Oh, and Chef Flick. I will be awaiting your presence in my office as soon as you and Councilman Flint are done. As…Soon…As…Do I make myself clear?”

Without taking her eyes from the floor, Flick responds, “Yes, Luna Fenya.”

Leaving the Alpha office, we cross the hallway and enter the Luna office.

Without a word, Fenya points to a chair in front of her desk.

Mesmerized by what is unfolding before me, I almost sit on command.

Fortunately, Blossom gets there before me, but I don’t miss the smirk on Fenya’s face as she sees what I’d almost done.

Sitting in the second chair in front of the desk, I wait for Fenya to speak. After a full minute passes in silence, Fenya says quietly, “I’m waiting, Blossom.”

“I am truly sorry, Luna Fenya.” Blossom looks at Fenya, and I have no doubt in her sincerity. “I am most sorry for doubting that you would betray our friendship. For that, I am ashamed of myself. I am also sorry for my outburst.”

“If I had the slightest doubt about your sincerity, I would end our friendship this instant. I would also demote you for the disrespect that you showed me.” Taking a moment, Fenya leans back in her chair, her hands resting on the chair arms. Had she been angry, those arms would have been under considerable stress right now, and her knuckles would have been white.

“Our friendship will remain intact, though you may find me a little cooler for the near future. You will remain here while I speak with Chief Glen. All the girly nonsense will stop, and you will approach this in a mature and sensible manner. If Chief Glen is interested in you, I will send him here where you will both decide the best course of action going forward. If he is not interested, I will return and tell you. If that is the case, which I personally doubt, you will leave him be. Now, get a grip on yourself, prepare to woo your male when he gets here, and don’t give him a choice. You want him, so now’s your chance.”

We both stand and walk to the door, leaving Blossom to herself. As we leave, Fenya says to Blossom, “Remember. When he walks through this door, do not give him a choice.”

The door closes, and we head out of the packhouse. I’m surprised when Fenya takes my arm and pulls me towards the woods.

“Chief Glen is training tree climbing this afternoon. I was about to go there when I received your summons to your office.” Fenya quirks her eyebrow at me and I can see this becoming one of her things.

“That wasn’t a summons, it was merely a request that you attend quickly.” I keep a straight face as I say this.

“Let me check my mental dictionary. Ah, here it is. Summon. Request someone’s presence immediately or as soon as possible. To get someone to attend you quickly. Muster, assemble, convene. I think that about sums it up.”

“As soon as I spoke they began blaming you, and I didn’t know what they were talking about. I wanted to give you the opportunity to defend yourself in real time and face down your naysayers.”

Before she can respond to my obvious bluster, we arrive at the clearing that Glen had chosen for the tree climbing.

“Chief Glen, would you dismiss the class for the rest of the day and join your Alpha and me, please.” Glen immediately dismisses the warriors present and looks worried as he approaches.

Standing before us, I can plainly see perspiration on his brow. I’ve never known Glen to break out in a sweat before. Not without considerable physical effort being involved.

“Chief Glen, Alpha Lyle has something he wishes to discuss with you.” Fenya then gives me a smile dripping with sweetness and honey and all things sugary.

So sickly sweet in fact, I almost vomit!

I must be more aware when I’m with my mate, or I’m going to find that she runs rings around me with her guile.

“Chief Glen I’ll be as delicate as I can because this is a sensitive subject. Erm, have you, at any time, you know, past or present, had any ‘contact’ or ‘personal experience’ of a female?”

“Alpha Lyle. Are you seriously asking me if I’m a virgin?” Glen looks as though he wants to rip my head off my shoulders.

“WHAT? NO! I mean emotional, not physical. Ew! Why would you think I’d want to know that?” I’m horrified that this has gone so wrong. Hearing Fenya laugh does not help the situation or my mood.

“Chief Glen, what is your opinion of Blossom?” Fenya asks him outright, and he just frowns. “Question too difficult? If the Goddess made her your fated mate, would you be happy? Is that easier?”

“Yes, Luna Fenya. I’d be happy. We’ve been in the same pack all our lives, and there has never been anything like that between us.” Glen looks like he would have preferred that to be different.

“Right. I’m going to give you the chance to change that, here and now.

She likes you, Glen. She likes you A LOT!

So much so, in fact, that she is waiting for you in the Luna office to sweep her off her feet.

I suggest that you go there right now, lift her off her feet and kiss her until her toes curl.

Don’t wait for her to say anything, just do it.

If I find out that you botched this opportunity, I will make it my life's mission to make the rest of your life hell, and I am an expert in the field. Now! Go to the office, storm across the room, take her in your arms and kiss the living daylights out of her. Before she gets her breath back, tell her you want to take her to the orchard and ask her to show you the way. Go!” Waiting for him to move, he just stands there gawking at us both.

Fenya sighs and then slaps him so hard across the face his head jerks to one side. Blinking at her like a baby owl seeing its first meal, he turns and runs off toward the packhouse.

“How easy was that? Oh. That has made my hand sting so bad.” She shakes her hand and then holds it between her thighs, as if that was going to help.

“I bet Silas is glad that Taria doesn’t have your matchmaking skills!” The thought of Taria slapping Silas just makes me burst out laughing. On the way back, I explain how Taria worked her matchmaking skills on Silas and Dahlia.

“The genteel approach has its merits, too. I just prefer a more direct approach.” Fenya takes my arm, and we walk sedately back to the packhouse.

As we enter, we both look at the door to my office.

Mind linking with my guard I ask him if the office is empty.

He assures me it is and that as they left Flick asked if Luna Fenya was in her office.

She was told that the Luna had left the packhouse in the Alpha’s company, to which Chef Flick was heard telling Councilman Flint that she had something very important to share with him in the orchard.

Relaying this to Fenya, she laughs until she’s crying.

It's only when she can get her breath back that she tells me of Blossom’s dream of being in the orchard with Glen.

Flick stealing her idea to dream of Flint is when I realize what she’s laughing at.

I hope they don’t both pick the same tree to do it under!